E332

E332 is the food additive code for disodium citrate, a sodium salt of citric acid used primarily as an acidity regulator and sequestrant in foods and beverages. It is part of the European Union’s E-number system for identifying approved additives.

Disodium citrate is a white to off-white crystalline powder that dissolves readily in water. It forms a buffer system with citric acid, helping to control acidity and maintain a stable pH in mixed formulations. As a sequestrant, it binds metal ions, which can improve product stability and prevent unwanted reactions such as deterioration of color or texture.

Common uses of E332 include use in dairy products, soft drinks and fruit juices, processed meats, canned vegetables, jams and jellies, sauces, and bakery products. It serves multiple roles: regulating acidity, stabilizing emulsions, enhancing texture, and helping to prevent undesirable color changes or oxidation by chelating trace metals.

Regulatory status varies by jurisdiction, but disodium citrate is widely approved for use in foods under general or specific GMP-based limits. It is considered safe for the general population when used as intended, with typical exposure levels aligning with established regulatory frameworks. In addition to food applications, citrate salts like E332 are employed in pharmaceutical and laboratory contexts as buffering and anticoagulant agents in specialized settings.

Related additives include E331 (sodium citrate) and E333 (trisodium citrate), which are other citrate salts used for similar purposes.